Chris Burkard Interview

What Does It Take To Be A Professional Sports Photographer?

Quick Bio

Chris Burkard, winner of the 2010 Red Bull Illume photo competition, has traveled through some of the harshest natural environments to photograph daring surfers in their quest to prove that surfing is not always the sandy-beach, hot-climate sport it’s made out to be. His passion has led him to explore places around the globe, from Chile to Iceland, and has consistently managed to inspire the photography world with his unique photojournalistic style.

If you would like to show off your photos, tell us about what inspires you or simply chat about why it is that you love photography, don’t hesitate to write our Photo Editor at victor_tangermann@askmen.com.

Victor Tangermann: In your opinion, what does it take to get the perfect shot? When do you know you just scored the perfect shot?

Chris Burkard: I love to take a pretty organic approach to my work. I love it when things just unravel, but at the same time, it is always good to have some forethought for good images. I think it makes for a more fluid trip when you can picture in your head what you want to see and shoot before you do it. At the same time, if you get too premeditated then it’s hard to just let things happen on their own sometimes. It’s all about finding a balance. I can tell I scored a perfect shot when the moment tells a story or a moment of peak action aligns with your camera angle.

VT: What shot have you been most proud of so far in your career?

CB: My Chile shot that won the Red Bull Illume in 2010 is one that I cherish in my career.

VT:

What has been the most memorable event you have covered?

CB: Surfing in Russia was one of the more memorable trips of my life. The Kamchatka peninsula has a landscape that is so raw, and so real. It feels like you're amongst the first people to have ever seen the place... it's off the map, and that's why I went there. I always want to keep going to places far removed from civilization.

VT: How do you know how to anticipate a good photo op?

CB: There are many ways to prepare for a good photo op. I like to research the area I'm shooting in and how all of the conditions and weather are forecasted. Once I’m there, I always am mindful to be mobile and not settle for one angle. I'm always moving around to find a new approach. When you find a good space it's best to set up your shot and let the action come to you rather than chase it.

VT: What do you think is the most difficult sport to shoot? What do you do if the entire event doesn’t present you with an adequate situation to shoot?

CB: Shooting surfing from the water is pretty tricky because you're dealing with a ton of elements at once. You have an athlete to focus on, but more importantly, their action and how best to position yourself. One of the biggest challenges is probably just swimming in the water and often swimming in some precarious situations while trying to get as close as you can to the surfers. There have been many times I have taken water housings [pieces of equipment designed to protect camera underwater] to the face or collided with the athlete. There are times when the conditions aren't in your favor, but the trick is to be adaptable and work to find new angles and ways that you can creatively capture the event.